Building Bridges to the Future: Synergies Between Art and Technology in Communicating Urban Evolution Under Climate Change

Jiaxi Wang and Luca Caneparo ()
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Jiaxi Wang: Department of Architecture and Design, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
Luca Caneparo: Department of Architecture and Design, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-24

Abstract: In an era marked by climate change, socio-economic disparity, and digital acceleration, the challenge of effectively communicating complex environmental data to diverse audiences has become increasingly urgent. This study examines how data visualization and interactive art can be employed to translate scientific knowledge into engaging, accessible formats that raise public awareness and encourage climate action. We reviewed 495 environmental art and design projects and selected a corpus of 36 that focus on dynamic data visualisation and interactive experience design in response to climate and urban challenges. A multi-scalar, qualitative analysis was conducted to assess the thematic structure, technological strategies, and aesthetic dimensions of these projects. Our findings show that interdisciplinary methods—blending real-time data, machine learning, sonification, and immersive installations—are effective in rendering abstract climate data into emotionally resonant, actionable narratives. Through detailed case studies, we demonstrate how artistic interventions can facilitate public understanding, stimulate behavioural change, and support participatory urban adaptation. We conclude by highlighting the significance of collaborative, cross-sectoral approaches in designing future-oriented communication strategies for climate resilience, and by identifying future research pathways in the integration of environmental science, technology, and the arts.

Keywords: climate data; visualisation; interactive installations; artificial intelligence; machine learning; art; environmental adaptation; public engagement; interdisciplinary collaboration; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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